AdmissionsApply to BFA

Transfer Students

Maine College of Art & Design welcomes the diversity and range of experience that transfer students bring to our community, and we are committed to transferring as many of your previously earned credits as possible. Members of our Admissions staff are available to meet with you to review your transcripts and determine how your previously earned credits will apply to our curricular requirements. Call us at 207.699.5026 to make an appointment to talk about transferring into the College.

Undergraduate Application Deadlines
Fall 2025

Applications for Fall 2025 entry are available on Common App. See full application details below. An application is considered complete and ready for review when we receive all required materials listed below.

  • Early Action Deadline: December 1, 2024
  • Full Tuition Scholarship Deadline: February 1, 2025
  • Priority Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

Applications received after May 1, 2025 will be reviewed as space is available in the Fall class.

Credit Placement

We use the following guidelines to transfer your existing credits into our curriculum:

  • A “C” or higher must be earned.
  • Courses must be 100 level or higher (no remedial courses).
  • Official Transcripts must be submitted. Faxed or unofficial copies are not accepted as proof of credit.
  • The college or university must be regionally accredited.
  • Courses must be worth 3 credits (or 5 quarter hours).
Transfer Scholarships

Maine College of Art & Design has merit-based scholarship funds designated specifically for transfer students. Admitted students are considered for merit scholarships ranging from $13,000–$21,000 per year, with particular attention to the strengths of previous GPA and the portfolio submitted for admission. These scholarships are renewable each year of enrollment provided the student maintains good academic standing. Applicants must complete all admission requirements in order to be eligible for admission, scholarships, and financial aid.

You can see a full list of scholarships and grants for transfer students here.

Application Requirements

In addition to the application requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts outlined here, transfer students (anyone who has previously matriculated at another college or university) must submit all transcripts for previous college or university attendance. This requirement includes colleges where you earned less than 3 credits or no credit at all (for example, you withdrew before completing coursework).

Applicants can request transcripts to be sent to the Admissions Office through their guidance counselors or other official representative. Transcripts will be considered official if they are sent by the issuing institution through the Common App, Parchment, SCOIR, or the National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Service, or if they arrive to the College in an envelope that is stamped and sealed by the issuing institution.

We require transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, even if credit was not earned, in order to award you financial aid.

Please note that we strongly prefer receiving transcripts digitally through Common App, Parchment, SCOIR, or the National Student Clearinghouse. If they must be mailed, please send them to:

Maine College of Art & Design
Attn: Undergraduate Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101

Please note that if you are transferring fewer than 60 credits, we will request an official copy of your high school transcripts in addition to any and all college transcripts.

Transfer from a Community College

We can help you map out a clear path from a community college to Maine College of Art & Design. Transfer evaluations are done on a case-by-case basis and it is best to begin a conversation with an admissions counselor as soon as possible to plan a course of study at a community college that will easily transfer to our BFA requirements.

Maine College of Art & Design has existing articulation agreements with the following schools:

  • (Updated List Coming Soon)

These articulation agreements allow for qualifying students at the schools above to seamlessly enter into our four-year BFA program in the third year. We are also pleased to work with students from other community colleges to facilitate transfer of coursework and credits.

If you are interested in transferring to Maine College of Art & Design, please be in touch with Admissions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are making the most of your community college experience, and sometimes that means transferring before earning your associates degree. Call us at 207.699.5026 today to talk about the best path for you.